We at Kraken believe that driving global crypto adoption relies on a solid cybersecurity framework in order to protect our clients’ financial freedom. It’s why our motto is security above everything.
It’s also why we commemorate Cybersecurity Awareness Month each October. This year, we celebrated by hosting a company-wide AMA with our Chief Security Officer, Nick Percoco, as well as a training program on maintaining cybersecurity hygiene created by our Security Training Lead. Both sessions were chock-full of great tips to stay safe online, so we wanted to share some of our favorites that could keep you and your loved ones safe.
Don’t be fooled by the bait
Phishing attacks are designed to trick you into revealing your passwords, account numbers, social security number, and other info that could be used to steal your crypto or your identity.
These attacks may look like legitimate emails, text messages, or social media posts — and sometimes they’re really convincing. Look for poor spelling and grammar, requests for personal information or money, offers that seem too good to be true, or unrealistic threats. These are good indicators that the sender is misrepresenting themself.
When you receive such an email, avoid clicking links or opening attachments that may deploy malware that can steal your personal information. You can also protect yourself from these attacks by being mindful of the information you share via social media, as attackers may use this information to impersonate a family member or co-worker in distress to cause panic and compel you to “help” them.
Build your digital fortress
Ensuring your devices are up to date with the latest software is a crucial part of maintaining your cybersecurity fortress. This simple step can have a significant impact on how protected you are from hacks as software developers release patches within software updates that will plug cybersecurity gaps in your devices. While most operating systems install these updates automatically, you may still need to update your applications, browsers and browser extensions manually.
Do you store your cryptoassets in a software wallet? Here’s how you can secure your mobile devices to do this safely.
Another factor to consider when building your digital fortress is to enable two-factor authentication, or 2FA, when setting up your accounts. This means that when there’s an attempt to sign into one of your accounts, you’ll also receive a text with a one-time password or be prompted to enter a passcode from an authentication app such as Google Authenticator. Be sure to avoid sharing your passcodes with others.
If you often connect to public Wi-Fi networks using your laptops and mobile devices, we also recommend using a virtual private network (VPN). VPNs disguise your online identity, making it difficult for third parties to track your activities online and steal your data. This means that you can browse the web securely when you’re connected to the internet at co-working spaces, airports and hotels.
Watch this to learn how you can stay safe when using public Wi-Fi networks.
Productively paranoid
At Kraken, we’re committed to being productively paranoid so that we can keep ourselves and our clients safe. Cyber criminals will always be on the lookout for the next vulnerability to exploit, and these simple tips can be a great way for you to stay ahead of the game.
Want to learn more about how Kraken keeps your funds safe? We recently obtained a cybersecurity accreditation for maintaining an industry-leading security framework that keeps your funds safe. Learn more about it here.
These materials are for general information purposes only and are not investment advice or a recommendation or solicitation to buy, sell or hold any cryptoasset or to engage in any specific trading strategy. Some crypto products and markets are unregulated, and you may not be protected by government compensation and/or regulatory protection schemes. The unpredictable nature of the cryptoasset markets can lead to loss of funds. Tax may be payable on any return and/or on any increase in the value of your cryptoassets and you should seek independent advice on your taxation position.
